Watership Down remake reveals stellar voice cast – but will it be watered down?

Watership Down terrified a generation of kids in the 1970s when Richard Adams’ tale of rabbit survival took animated form in Martin Rosen’s film.

It also prompted an inspired butcher’s sign or two across the country: “You’ve read the book, you’ve seen the film, now eat the cast.”

Now the classic children’s book is returning to the screen in an animated mini-series from Netflix and BBC, with James McAvoy, John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult and Ben Kingsley confirmed as key members of the voice cast.

Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits who leave their warren after its threatened with destruction, only to face a series of new hazards, from murderous farmers to killer cats and even other homicidal rabbits.

When the 1978 film was screened on Channel 5 on Easter Sunday this year, it caused an uproar with parents who thought the sight of cartoon bunnies eviscerating each other was too much for their children.

However, others came to the film’s defence, highlighting its thoughtful treatment of adult themes like friendship, loss, struggle, society, love and death, for a younger audience.

Tom Bidwell (My Mad Fat Diary) is writing the four-part miniseries, with Noam Murro (300: Rise of an Empire) set to direct.

Also lending their vocal talents to the project are Gemma Arterton, Olivia Colman, Miles Jupp, Freddie Fox and Anne-Marie Duff.

It’s due to be finished next year.

News of the remake has divided opinion:

Read more on our sister site, WOW247: Watership Down: When kids films dared to be dark

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